One of the most important

Answer choices

1. A

   Comets vs. Asteroids Composition:2% picked this

   Comets tend to be composed largely of ice while asteroids are composed

   While this could provide context about typical comet composition, it doesn't directly support the argument that no water equals no deep penetration and that the comet was rocky. It doesn't address the specific link forged by seeing no water.

   2%
2. B

   Correct89% picked this

   If Jupiter's lower atmosphere had been penetrated by the comet's fragments, the resulting formations would

   Why this is right

   The assumption that if Jupiter's lower atmosphere had been penetrated by the comet's fragments, the resulting formations would show signs of water is a critical link in the argument. Without this, the absence of water doesn't necessarily prove that the fragments didn't reach Jupiter's lower atmosphere. If you negate this option and say that even if the fragments penetrated the lower atmosphere there wouldn’t necessarily be evident water signs, then the argument weakens significantly, because the presence of water in formations is an indicator used to determine journey depth.

   Skill tested: Necessary Assumption · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

   89%
3. C

   Explosion2% picked this

   A larger explosion would occur upon collision with Jupiter if Shoemaker-Levy 9 were composed of rock than if

   Larger for Rock: This doesn't directly relate to how formations without water imply that the comet was rocky or that the lower atmosphere wasn't penetrated. It’s about explosion size, not water detection.

   2%
4. D

   Same Composition Formations:7% picked this

   The post-collision analysis of Jupiter showed that the formations all had exactly

   Even if all post-collision formations have the same composition, it does nothing to bridge the gap regarding water’s role. It’s not relevant to the water hypothesis.

   7%
5. E

   Visibility from Earth:1% picked this

   The deeper the explosion occurred in Jupiter's atmosphere, the more difficult it would be to

   This could address detection capabilities, but doesn’t support the specific tie that absence of water aligns with rock composition and non-penetration. It speaks more to observational challenges, not material composition.

   1%